Philippine gov't mapping out contingency plans for looming PAL cabin crew strike

The Philippine government is mapping out contingency plans should the flight attendants pursue their planned strike in case they fail to reach a settlement with the management of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), senior government official said Saturday.

Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose de Jesus said in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan that President Benigno Aquino III has appealed to both parties to try to reach a settlement so as not to disrupt service to airline commuters.

"We have been meeting to craft a contingency plan that will be in effect should both parties fail to settle," de Jesus said.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. is now also involved in looking for a solution to the PAL management and labor union problem, he added.

The government earlier warned that the dispute between the PAL management and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) could hasten the country's adoption of open skies policy.

As to PAL management's position that the open skies policy will not do good for the country, De Jesus said "that is their position. Ours is just that we will do whatever is necessary to protect the riding public."

FASAP earlier filed a notice of strike before the Department of Labor and Employment, which has yet to be acted on by the agency.

Source: Xinhua